W.j.c. Reports to U.N. Secretary General on Action Against Bigotry

The World Jewish Congress today submitted a memorandum to U.N. Secretary General U Thant outlining its actions in seeking to secure legislation in various countries that would ban racial incitement.

The document covered activities by WJC affiliates, including the American Jewish Congress, the Canadian Jewish Congress, the DAIA — central body of Argentine Jewry — as well as by the organization’s New York headquarters and offices in other parts of the world.

Among the actions outlined by the WJC submission were efforts by the American Jewish Congress in the struggle against prejudice and discrimination. The memorandum gave details of specific activities in this connection, including preparation of a model bill to prohibit discrimination in housing and public accommodation, support of fair employment legislation, and action in connection with Sunday closing laws.

The WJC concern for furthering human rights was emphasized in a letter to the Secretary-General, accompanying the detailed statement. “The World Jewish Congress believes that Jewish ethical teachings as well as the long history of their persecution, place upon Jews a special responsibility to work for the recognition of the dignity and equal rights of all human beings,” the letter said. It sees racial prejudice and national and religious intolerance as “one of the greatest obstacles to a satisfactory settlement of basic international conflicts and peaceful cooperation among peoples.”

The world Jewish body, which has consultative status at the United Nations, submitted its report in line with a resolution adopted by the last General Assembly on “manifestations of racial prejudice and national and religious intolerance.”